The 30th Monte Carlo Mare Nostrum International Meet saw Plymouth College athletes return with three medals at what is one of the most prestigious and competitive swim meets on the annual international calendar.
Ruta Meilutyte, 15, unrested and still in heavy training for the Olympic Games, was to win the 50m Breaststroke in a new Lithuanian senior record of 30.99. The 50m event is competed over five gruelling rounds across two days, resulting in a two-person head-to-head swim off for the title. The time is the fifth fastest in the world this year.
One day earlier, she had won the 100m Breaststroke in 1:07.96 to underline her intentions when London comes around in less than 50 days times.
Joe Patching raced in the knowledge that his Olympic hopes rely on fast swimming in Sheffield in just over a week's time, with Patching already confirmed to feature for Great Britain at the European Junior Championships in Antwerp in July. At only 18 years of age, Patching swam brilliantly in the 200m Backstroke to take silver in 2:00.60, having also made the 'A' Final of the 100m event the day before. Both Olympic berths in the 200m version remain for GBR.
In the case of both Patching and Meilutyte, their medals were presented by Prince Albert II, Sovereign Prince of Monaco.
Photo: Joe and Ruta with Plymouth College Director of Swimming, Jon Rudd
